Watch as quick-thinking hero UFC star saves manager from drowning in dramatic footage
FORMER top MMA exec praises fighter with 'big heart' for waterfall rescue
A UFC star has saved his manager from drowning in a jungle.
Ottman Azaitar rescued Ali Abdelaziz after he went under the foaming surface just yards from a Hawaiian waterfall.
Egyptian MMA exec Abdelaziz was floundering as he swam with two men.
The water, surrounded by forest, was deeper than he had expected.
But as Abdelaziz began to slip below, Azaitar intervened.
The German-Moroccan fighter, 34, snatched a vine from a tree and used it to reel Abdelaziz to the side.
The 46-year-old, who had four MMA bouts himself before retiring, hailed the hero whose career he is monitoring.
Abdelaziz told TMZ: “Ottman’s a great kid. He has a big heart. He literally saved my life.”
However, the incredible incident comes with Azaitar’s future in the octagon uncertain.
The lightweight has lost his last two fights and been out of action for 15 months.
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A comeback was scheduled for UFC Fight Night 232 last November, but was called off without public explanation.
Meanwhile, Abdelaziz has a colourful background, but now mainly focuses on managing.
He founded Dominance MMA Management and was executive vice president and matchmaker for the World Series of Fighting promotion.